Prednisone is a synthetic form of corticosteroid that can be administered in topical, injectable, or oral form. Corticosteroids are a class of steroid’s which act like hormones that are produced by the adrenal gland.

Prednisone is prescribed to very effectively suppress immune system response when treating a variety of inflammatory diseases and disorders. This includes arthritis, eczema, some cancers, irritable bowel symptoms, asthma, allergic reactions, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, chronic pain conditions and many others.

When our bodies are under stress, a natural steroid hormone called cortisol is a released. Cortisol is part of the “fight or flight” response which causes changes to blood pressure, blood sugar, immune and inflammatory response. These changes are not harmful when the body has a chance to recover from the stress inducing event. Stress responses can become very problematic if triggered too frequently.

The immune system cannot operate properly under the influence of excessive cortisol. Impaired immunity leaves the door open to illness and disease. Because prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid it should be used cautiously, infrequently, and sparingly to reduce the likelihood of complications. When used judiciously, it can be a wonderful drug.

However, when prednisone is taken for more than a few weeks, it causes the adrenal gland to shrink, producing fewer natural steroid hormones. That is why discontinuing prednisone and other corticosteroids much be done slowly so that the adrenal gland can return to normal production. Sudden drug withdrawal can trigger dangerous side effects. There are also some terrible possible side effects and complications which can occur when using prednisone:

Two clinical studies (2004 and 2005) observed the beneficial effects of the patented French pine bark extract known as Pycnogenol® in preventing and reducing thrombosis (the clotting of blood within veins) on roughly 200 subjects traveling on long-distance flights (over eight hours).

The studies demonstrated that passengers using Pycnogenol® had no instances of thrombosis or, in a few cases, less than 6% variation in their ankle circumference (far less than the control group).

In addition to promoting circulation, the highly potent antioxidant properties of Pycnogenol® make blood platelets more slippery, reducing the incident of blood clots and supporting cardiovascular health.

Jetlag was also reduced by 50% with Pycnogenol®. This 2008 study found that jetlag symptoms including fatigue, irritability, insomnia, edema and cognitive impairments were half of those found in both healthy and hypertensive individuals when Pycnogenol® was taken.

These studies observed the effects of supplementing with Pycnogenol® in capsule form. Isotonix OPC-3® is an exclusive blend of high potency antioxidants that include Pycnogenol® in a drinkable isotonic form. In fact, Isotonix OPC-3® is the only product on the market which provides Pycnogenol® in an isotonic form.

Isotonic solutions do not have to be digested like tablets, capsules or even liquids do. Instead Isotonix OPC-3® delivers Pycnogenol® in an ideal isotonic state that is ready to go directly into the small intestine for absorption. This extreme bioavailability provides up to 95% nutrient absorption into the bloodstream in approximately 5 minutes. Capsules and tablets can take 1-4 hours to digest, which reduces their nutrient value to 10-20%.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body with 99% of it stored in the bones and teeth. Beyond skeletal structure calcium impacts multiple systems including the cardiovascular, nervous system, immune response, hormone and enzyme function and healthy cholesterol levels.

So the question is, what form of calcium is best? Frequently, people complain that they have tried supplementing with calcium or other nutrients and noticed no benefit. In the past, I had the same experience. What I found out was that it wasn’t that the compound didn’t work. The problem was that my body could not extract the benefits of the compound due to the form it was delivered in.

Many calcium supplements are made from calcium found in eggshell or oyster shell, which is difficult for the body to absorb. Other brands use calcium tablets that possess a binding agent called DCP, which does not break down in the body. Just because a brand lists a large amount of calcium on the label does not mean that your body will be able to utilize it.

Isotonix® Calcium Plus is a powdered form that, when mixed with the amount of water indicated, becomes isotonic. An isotonic solution is extremely easy for the body to absorb and will begin entering into the blood stream in less than five minutes. This highly efficient and active product will get to the receptor sites in the small intestine unlike many other brands of tablets which have been jokingly referred to as “bedpan bullets“.

I’ve tried various types of daily calcium products. This is far and away the easiest to use and it tastes good too. I’ve found that I really notice a difference in how I feel when I use the product and after just one month. I will buy it every month from now on.

By LK from Northern NH on 8/4/2009

I really like this product- it is a thousand times better than the calcium “horse pills” that you buy at the store. This powder is easy to take, and you can take just half a dose if you are drinking a lot of milk or use milk products. I would recommend it to any woman.

If you’ve wondered whether an emotional behavior may be rooted more in chemistry than physiology, you may be right. Serotonin has a powerful effect on our feelings and physical behavior. When serotonin levels are adequate we feel safe, happy, content, satiated, and have great impulse control. Serotonin deficiency syndrome is when levels are low enough to cause or exacerbate the following:

These behaviors and emotional states are not necessarily produced by a physical dysfunction in the brain. Instead, it may be based on a biochemical condition that can be traced back to the brain’s serotonin neural circuits which are hampered due to inadequate amounts of serotonin in the nerve pathways. A serotonin precursor called l-tryptophan (or tryptophan) can restore these biochemical transmissions to the serotonin neural receptors. L-Tryptophan supplementation is a safe and natural way of increasing low serotonin levels.

Millions suffer from depression and feelings of sadness along with difficulty falling asleep. Incorporating a simple, natural amino acid like L-tryptophan may be just the ticket to an elevated mood and peaceful sleep!

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid which promotes seratonin and, in turn, melatonin balance. A common myth is that tryptophan is what causes sleepiness after eating turkey on Thanksgiving. The actual cause of fatigue is the body’s demand for increased blood flow to the digestive system to handle all the excess calories. Eating any type of large meal can cause sleepiness.

Tryptophan triggers seratonin and melatonin production. Seratonin is the “feel good” hormone which enhances mood and produces feelings of happiness. Melatonin regulates sleep cycles which are often out of order in many people’s hectic lives. Proper amounts of melatonin encourages natural sleep patterns.

Between 1982 and 2005 the FDA banned all forms of tryptophan due to contamination concerns. The only exception was a trademarked form of l-tryptophan known as Tryptopure®. Tryptopure is 99-100% pure and safe.

A study done in 2002 by the College of Medicine in South Korea found that seratonin and melatonin also reduce oxidative stress in the brain.

Unlike many over-the-counter and prescription mood enhancers and sleep aides, l-tryptophan can be used long term quite safely and produces no negative side effects.

Isotonix® L-Tryptophan is made from Tryptopure® and synergistically combines vitamin C, B-3 and B-6 improving the metabolism of this amino acid. Genuine isotonic formulas are extremely bio-available and 95% absorbed unlike capsules, tablets and liquid supplements.